Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre

Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre

Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Maxwell Food Centre

Hawker Centres are a common sight in every neighborhood, and everyone that has lived in Singapore for any extended period of time has surely visited a Hawker Centre at some point in their life. Some once daily, others every chance they get during the day – but all with one desire that is surely on their mind: to fill their stomachs with amazing local food.

Through our journeys, we've been able to narrow down the good, the great, and the wonderful to one list of “Hawker Legends” that we want to share with all of you.

So Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Dogs and Cats, here we go....

1. Tian Tian Chicken Rice - Maxwell Food Centre Stall No 10 and 11

On one typical hot Singapore day, we stumbled across this chicken rice stall that changed our understanding of what chicken rice is. We were heading for Maxwell based on a recommendation from a friend, Zhen Zhen Pork Porridge, which was the only thing on our mind.

As we were eagerly walking to our highly anticipated destination, we noticed a queue, and we mean a long, long queue which we couldn’t see the end of. Suddenly, our sixth sense for chicken took over our brain and guided us to this food marvel, once rated by New York Times as the 'Chicken Rice Shrine' and according to Anthony Bourdain, the rice can be taken alone!

What We Love

Fate brings people together but chicken brings all your senses together. Although simple, Tian Tian Chicken Rice delivers a texture and taste that develops wonderfully in your mouth and the smell fills your nose like no other. The rice is cooked in such a manner that every single grain tastes of their delicious chicken broth and when it’s paired with their famed chili sauce, you can’t help but come back for more.

There’s usually no question of whether you are eating the drumstick or the breast meat on a chicken, but at this stall, your taste buds and so called expertise on countless chicken eating experiences will come into question because you truly can’t tell. Try only the Kampong Chicken, which has made this stall a living legend under the watchful eyes of Madam Foo Kui Lian.

Since tasting this chicken rice stall, we can’t bear to torture my taste buds with others and have faithfully gone back every time my craving for chicken rice takes over. Many food stalls change over the years, and even Tian Tian has seen its share of change, having expanded its current outlet strength to 3 and parted ways with its ex head chef that helmed the stall for more than a decade BUT some things have not changed, the unparalleled taste and quality and my undying loyalty to this stall that makes hundreds of patrons happily satisfied each day.